FEDS ROLL OUT NEW POT PLAN

The federal government will unveil a revamped drug strategy today that
softens up on pot users but cracks down on marijuana growers.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon insisted yesterday the policy's merits
must be judged as a package, not on one single component of
decriminalization. He denied the plan has been watered down to address
concerns from the U.S.

"All the policies are decisions that have been taken some time ago.
We've reflected on it, we've consulted with people. It's going to be a
good policy for Canadians."

The earlier plan was to decriminalize stashes of up to 30 grams, but
recent reports have suggested the cap will be 15 grams.

But even that's too much for Alliance MP Randy White, who worries the
new package will signal a "green light" toward legalization.

"There is a big concern that the Canadian government is following the
philosophical bent of some European cities as opposed to the North
American issues on drugs."

Finance Minister and Ottawa South MP John Manley said he isn't
concerned about the impact the strategy could have on relations with
the U.S. in the short term.